Effectiveness metrics are becoming increasingly important

Leading organizations are now turning away from stale metrics, like square meters per person, and prioritizing effectiveness metrics instead: utilisation rates, occupancy data, and critically, employee satisfaction. Add to that the formalisation of hybrid strategies, as most organisations now maintain official workplace policies that define expected time in the office, demonstrating how hybrid models are embedded in corporate frameworks. Tools like IoT-powered occupancy sensors are changing the game by tracking the spaces’ real usage in privacy-safe ways and offering real-time insights without being intrusive.

Workplace experience is a human factor that data can’t replace

Whilst the push toward data-driven decision-making is transforming how companies manage office spaces, yet an equally important question remains: how do we preserve the human aspect of workplace experience?

Workplace experience isn’t just about occupancy. It’s about how spaces feel, inspire and enable. As desks become more flexible, we’re seeing a significant shift: assigned seating dropped from 83 % down to 55 %, while hybrid and desk-sharing arrangements grew from 12 % to 36 %. These figures reveal a fundamental shift in workplace philosophy, where we’re moving from fixed spaces to more dynamic and purpose-driven environments. 

But even with the best layout and data, feelings matter. Employees still crave human connection, belonging and well-designed focusing or collaborative environments. That’s why we believe that combining quantitative data with qualitative feedback, such as surveys and team insights, is vital for achieving the balance between real estate efficiency and workplace experience.

Efficiency vs. experience – is it truly possible to have both?

The optimal workplace integrates both real estate efficiency and workplace experience. When data-driven insights, such as real-time utilisation and space occupancy, are paired with human-centered design and feedback, companies transform their offices into environments that are:

1. Financially smart and align estate costs with actual demand by using precise space data.
2. Operationally responsive, and plan cleaning, maintenance and layout shifts based on real behavior instead of assumptions.
3. Experientially enriching, with spaces that employees actually enjoy using.

Why does this matter?

Office environments are no longer static. They are strategic tools for culture, collaboration and retention. Mastering the balance between space efficiency and workplace experience provides organizations with a competitive advantage, especially as the youngest talent enters the workforce, expecting flexibility without sacrificing connection.

Where to start? We’re here for you. With our smart occupancy solutions, organizations get accurate, privacy-safe data to shape their real estate strategies without ever losing sight of the people who bring those spaces to life. 

Learn more about our IoT solutions.